Man overboard attachment

[pugwash]

Chatting over a beer the other day, got to speculating about recovering a MOB. I've never had to do that, thank God, but I wondered if it would help were the casualty able to float out some sort of line maybe with a small drogue at the end. It would be about ten feet long and maybe unravelled somehow from under the velcro flap. The issue is not the technology or the wearability of such a thing, but whether it would be an advantage to have a line already attached to the casualy which a boat could pick up. Theline could then be used the pull the MOB into the side, tie him to the rail while things were sorted out, and finally used to lift him aboard. Would this be an advantage or not?

 

[Woodlouse]

I think such a device has already been thought of, produced and sold. I saw a boat the other day with a box with a velcro flap on the pushpit and instructions that described what you've just said.

 

[hornblower]

I think he meant attached to the casualty rather than the boat!

 

[[3889]]

Danbuoys and Horseshoe buoys have lines attached exactly for that purpose.

 

[alan17]

The problem really comes when the casualty is unconcious or otherwise incapable of any form of self help.

 

[[3889]]

Wouldn't that be the case with a line in a pouch?

 

[jimmynoboat]

I think the idea has merit. There are always details to sort out (snagging in the prop for one) but anything that helps the recovery process has got to be worth thinking about.

 

[pugwash]

yes, the line is part of the casualty's rig. It would increase his extent when afloat therefore providing more stuff to grab as you come alongside. And the rope, once you get hold of it, is used to haul him back on deck. Of course it's cumbersome and has other problems, but I was just wondering about the principle. Would it be an advantage?

 

[clyst]

I think the danger of the rope getting caught around the prop outweighs any advantage it would have . It would have to be a floating line and therefore easy prey for the prop in "bouncy" conditions . When closing on the MOB a good "heaving" line would be more effective . IMHO